If blog buzz and Pitchfork ratings are to be trusted, this
is a big one. Indie tastemakers have deemed ex-Lifter Puller
frontguy Craig Finn and the Hold Steady to be rock’s great
hope going into ’07, on the strength of their latest record
(and Vagrant debut), Boys and Girls in America. The Brooklyn
band are clearly feeling Minnesota—revered Minneapolis bar
bands like the Replacements and (early) Soul Asylum are but
a few easy references, and Lifter Puller were, in fact, based
there. But the kind of hipster love this group have been feeling
is Williamsburg all the way. Opening tonight’s show are Catfish
Haven, a Southern-fried blues (or blooze, if you will) trio
whose debut full-length Tell Me was just released on the Secretly
Canadian label, and Albany’s own Scientific Maps—our pick
for Best Pop Band of 2006. (Dec. 14, 7 PM, $10, 17 New Scotland
Ave., Albany, 432-6572)

Judy Collins with Albany Pro Musica

Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Friday

It’s become a holiday tradition for Judy Collins to play an
annual seasonal show at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall,
and it’s also been tradition that the show has been sold out
too quickly for us to write about it. This year, however,
it looks like we can get this in under the wire. The beloved
American folk songstress will perform songs of the season
and selections from her four-decade-long career. Albany Pro
Musica will join Collins for this special holiday concert.
(Dec. 15, 8 PM, $25-$38, 30 2nd St., Troy, 273-0038)

Ramblin Jug Stompers CD release

Caffe Lena, Friday

It’s rarely a good idea for a bunch of older musicians to
get together and try to recapture the glory of their youth.
But when that glory was something known as the Star-Spangled
Washboard Band, it makes perfect sense. The history of the
SSWB dates back to 1971, which makes the Ramblin Jug Stompers
unofficially one of our area’s longest-running acts—along
with troubadour Michael Eck, three of the SSWB’s four original
members are in the Stompers, and they adhere to the all-acoustic
nature of their earliest performances. The Stompers’ debut
CD, Crooked Songs, was recorded live at Caffe Lena in March
2006, when the band were still young and hungry. Now over
a year into the new project, they’ll return to the Lena stage
to celebrate the album’s release. (Dec. 15, 8 PM, $12, 47
Phila St., Saratoga Springs, 583-0022)

WEQX Nonconformal Ball

Revolution Hall, Saturday

Quirky paisley-clad alternative rockers OK Go seem to love
the Capital Region as much as we love them. They’ve been around
quite a lot recently—Tulip Fest, Northern Lights, and Revolution
Hall, all within the last year. But hey, we’re not complaining.
We knew they were something special when they burst onto the
scene with the catchy hit and addictive music video “A Million
Ways” last year, and we’re proud to announce to all of you
who slept through the Grammy-nominations announcement that
OK Go have been nominated for a Grammy for—no surprise here—Best
Short Form Video for “Here It Goes Again.” The band will help
us celebrate the season when they play WEQX’s annual bash,
the Nonconformal Ball, this weekend. As Fast As, Pilot Speed
and the Bangkok Five will open the show. (Dec. 16, 7 PM, $25
+ two nonperishable food items, 425 River St., Troy, 274-0553)

Mallory O’Donnell

WAMC Performing Arts Studio, Saturday

Fresh-faced with an engaging smile, Mallory O’Donnell looks
every inch the pretty young coed. But don’t underestimate
her. The 18-year-old singer is still riding the buzz of approval
following this year’s release of her debut album, Joy. Heralded
by many a reviewer as a “born singer,” O’Donnell’s clear,
unwavering voice and a style that has been described as alternately
breezy and sultry, a pleasing blend of upbeat folk rock, and
smooth, mellow blues with a bite. Check her out live when
she performs at WAMC Saturday night. (Dec. 16, 8 PM, $15,
339 Central Ave., Albany, 465-5233 ext. 4).

Golem

Club Helsinki, Sunday

It’s time for the annual Hanukkah party at the Berkshires’
own little bit of Finland, Club Helsinki. There will be a
special Hanukkah dinner menu—sorry, no details, but we assume
it will be kosher—while, on the musical menu, there will be
Golem. If you’ve never experienced terrific Klezmer-punkers
Golem, this is as good an occasion as any. Led by charismatic
frontwoman Annette Ezekiel, these New Yorkers delight and,
occasionally, provoke audiences with a combination of excellent
musicianship and in-your-face charm. Historical note: Ezekiel
and vocalist Aaron Diskin evoke fond memories of the Sugarcubes’
zany stage duo, Einar and Bjork. (Yes, that Bjork.) The six-piece
group tore it up at the Egg a while back opening for the Dresden
Dolls; imagine what they’ll do in the cozy confines of Club
Helsinki. If you had a Yiddish grandma, she would approve.
(Dec. 17, 9 PM, $20, 284 Main St., Great Barrington, Mass.,
413-528-3394)

Also
Noted

Moonlighters

Pick
it up up! Ska the night away with the Toasters,
Bombtown, and the Late Night Show tonight (Thursday)
at Red Square (7:30 PM, $13, 465-0444). . . .
Proctor’s Theatre presents the annual Melodies
of Christmas concert tonight (Thursday) through
Sunday; in addition to holiday standards from
the Empire State Youth Orchestra and Youth Chorale,
expect guest appearances from Professor “Louie”
& the Crowmatix, among others. Proceeds benefit
the Child Cancer Program at Albany Medical Center
(7 PM Thu-Sat, 3 PM Sun, $25, 346-6204). . . .
We built this city on rock and . . . oh, not that
Starship—Cobra Starship, the band responsible
for the Snakes on a Plane theme song “Snakes on
a Plane (Bring It),” bring their improbable stab
at an actual career to Valentine’s tomorrow (Friday);
All Time Low, the Night Life and Moros Eros open
(7:30 PM, $12, 432-6572). . . . It’s that time
of year: Celebrate the holiday season with the
one and only Leon Redbone at the Iron Horse Music
Hall in Northampton, Mass. on Saturday (7 PM,
$27, 413-584-0610). . . . Why not make it a weekend?
Catch the soulful sounds of Ray LaMontagne, with
guest Tristan Prettyman, at Northampton’s Calvin
Theater on Sunday (8 PM, $24-$34, 413-584-1444).